Clinic talks to go ahead

TALKS are to be held between NHS Lothian and the Church of Scotland amid efforts to keep an acclaimed drug and alcohol addiction clinic in Stockbridge.

The Lothians and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme (LEAP), based at Malta House and run by the health authority, has been given until January to move out after the Church of Scotland – which owns the premises – received interest from developers.

On Friday, LEAP supporters submitted a 600-strong petition to The Kirk calling for the clinic to remain at Malta House.

A Church of Scotland spokesman said they wanted to be “helpful” and “flexible”, pledging to “explore a positive way forward within the constraints faced” by NHS Lothian.